Fall is in the air! With days left until Halloween we went on a search for the finest fall inspired activities. Whether you’re into picking pumpkins or shooting zombies, here is one of our top spots for embracing the party that is autumn. Maris Farms Oh friends, Maris Farms comes out of the gate swinging. ...

Fall is in the air! With days left until Halloween we went on a search for the finest fall inspired activities. Whether you’re into picking pumpkins or shooting zombies, here is one of our top spots for embracing the party that is autumn.

Maris Farms

Maris Farms

Oh friends, Maris Farms comes out of the gate swinging. I’ve a list as long as my arm of things to recommend this place. The former dairy is a family run institution that now distills the joy of autumn and offers it to all. You pay a single fee at the gate and then have access to a cornucopia of autumnal activities. The usual culprits standout, a massive corn maze is of course on top of the list. Maris Farms keep true to the essence of corn mazes and has crafted a challenging yet fun labyrinth. Nestled right next to the maze is the pumpkin patch that winds off into the distance and is eventually capped with a monster truck arena.

Maris Farms Pumpkin Patch

Maris Farms doesn’t stop there though. They then elevate the playing field by including a kid zone, band area, espresso stand, petting zoo, and kid’s cave in your ticket price. There’s also the chance to bet on pig races and duck races. For me, the best part of the races (and there’s a lot to choose from) is the fact that all donations go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Not only do you get the chance to win a prize for betting on the fastest pig but you win the real prize of helping children. Nothing encapsulates the spirit of fall more.

Racing Ducks

Peddle Carts

Peddle carts are included in your ticket price. As is access to the corn pit (a room filled ankle-deep with corn kernels, perfect for digging around) and access to the kids zone and petting zoo. All of this and it is still one of the last “fall farms” to still offer hayrides. There’s almost too much to recommend this place. If you’re looking for a place to take your date our your children, Maris Farm offers the whole gamut of fall activities.

Hayrides

Just in case the thrill of real ducks racing is a little too heady for you

Face painting is available too

Petting Zoo

Band Area

For extra fun you can consider pony rides, camel rides (or for the truly adventurous) a ride in a monster truck. These adrenaline sports cost a little extra but are worth every penny. They are located on the edge of the farm near the destruction zone, an arena where you can indulge in anything from a corn blaster to a pumpkin canon. There’s even a pumpkin trebuchet, that a team of specialists demonstrate on occasion.

Camel Rides

Pumpkin Cannon

The truth is, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Once the sun goes down Maris Farms turns into a wonderland of horror and Halloween tinted fun. The two main attractions are the Haunted Forest and the Monster Safari. The Haunted Forest is a bone chilling trek through a maze of terror and creatures of the night, armed only with a flashlight. It’s rumored that you’ll pee your pants before you make it through the forest and back out of the haunted corn maze. The Monster Safari however, allows you to even the score. Armed with a paintball gun and a determined sense of grit you board a repurposed school bus and make your way through the woods. The aim is to unleash righteous fury on the zombies crawling out of the trees.

Zombie Hunting

Maris Farms Monster Safari

Actors (wearing protective masks and armor, but looking like they’re straight out of the walking dead) attack your convoy and it’s up to you to put them back in the ground with your paintball gun. What more could you honestly ask for in a fall day? If you’re looking for the best value for your money and for the one-stop-shop for all things fall, Maris Farms is certainly the best place on our list. Make sure you hurry though, the zombie shoots are only on the weekends and on Halloween.

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Captain and Clark are two passionate story tellers and explorers. They are driven by an internal fire to plunge into the deepest and most alluring corners and nooks of our globe and bring to light the stories that inspire all of us.

Mapleside Farms is similar. Even though I have never been to Maris Farms, I would like to because of how much fun I had at Mapleside shooting zombies in the night with paintball guns. Their spiked apple cider is delicious too!Angela (@angelatravels11) recently posted…I Got STAMPED!